Clowney has been placed on the active/physically unable to perform list, NFL.com reports.

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Clowney, who underwent microfracture surgery last December, can be activated at any point during training camp. The move to the active/PUP list also gives the Texans the first six weeks of the regular season to activate Clowney in the event his knee doesn't respond.

6/23/2015

Clowney (knee), who is progressing well from microfracture surgery, hopes to be on the field for the start of training camp, the Houston Chronicle reports.

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All along, Clowney has been aiming to be ready for the start of the 2015 regular season, and this nugget supports that notion. Assuming he can reestablish his health, Clowney -- the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft -- has the potential to be a dominant pass rusher down the road, despite recording just seven tackles in four games during his frustrating rookie campaign last year. With an eye toward the long haul though, the Texans will likely ease the linebacker back into the mix throughout August in order to help guard against re-injury.

6/12/2015

Clowney (knee) is expected to be ready for Week 1, but his snaps will be limited initially, Tania Ganguli of ESPN reports.

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Clowney was initially given a nine-month timetable after undergoing knee surgery in December, so his rehab appears to be going as planned. Barring a setback, the former No. 1 overall pick should be on the field for Week 1, but he likely won't see a full workload until a few weeks into the season.

Clowney is "doing well" in his recovery from December knee surgery, according to Houston general manager Rick Smith, the Texans' official site reports. "We expect that he would hopefully make a full recovery and be able to help us next year," added Smith.

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Knee problems, beginning in Week 1, limited Clowney to four games played in 2014. Both Smith and head coach Bill O'Brien are optimistic for the linebacker's return for the 2015 season.

It's crucial that IDP drafters double-check the positional designation their league gives to Clowney, as he might be listed as an LB rather than a DL, but if he secures DL eligibility he'll be a borderline DL1 consideration. The Texans didn't pick Clowney first overall to bring him along slowly, so he'll start opposite Whitney Mercilus at 3-4 OLB, moving to DE in nickel formations. Clowney is like the Calvin Johnson of defensive end prospects, and he'll have the opportunity to post big numbers immediately with offenses primarily concerned with J.J. Watt. Clowney has 4.5 speed at 6-5, 266 pounds and should contend for a Pro Bowl spot immediately. Bone spurs in his right foot are the only real concern to his productivity.